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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dreamboat_annie on November 29, 2006, at 21:07:37
done to death, but, I would like to hear from people who have been using or have used Lexapro. How long did it take to kick in, what start-up side effects did you experience, did it help with GAD . . . You know the drill :-)
I'm thinking of ditching Paxil CR, which really isn't doing much of anything, for a very small dose of Lexapro, but I wonder if should even bother, given the small dose of Paxil I am on right now. However, my preference is stay on a small, maintenance dose of something - preventive medicine, I suppose - to help avoid any relapses.
Thanks so much.
Posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2006, at 22:38:38
In reply to Lexapro - I know this topic has probably been, posted by dreamboat_annie on November 29, 2006, at 21:07:37
If you just want something to keep you from getting depressed just stick with what you are on. I say this as the very first ad I took was only l0mg of paxil and once I was switched don't know why nothing every worked again. Love Phillipa
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 30, 2006, at 7:03:13
In reply to Re: Lexapro - I know this topic has probably been » dreamboat_annie, posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2006, at 22:38:38
first of all, if you are committed to a very small dose why are you expecting noticeable results
secondly, often we think a med is not doing much until we drop it
i prefer lexapro but tried paxil when i was new at the game
it is one of the only ssri's i would consider retrying because i liked the energy level it allowedbe very careful about giving up on paxil and changing
the shifts that occur sometime make it impossible to return to a med
doctors will tell you this is not true but everyone here will stand behind that statement
perhaps you can try to increaset the paxil just a very little bit and see if you can feel it working
i agree with phillipa
Posted by dreamboat_annie on November 30, 2006, at 19:51:05
In reply to Re: Lexapro - I know this topic has probably been » dreamboat_annie, posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2006, at 22:38:38
Thanks, Phillipa. I guess the reason why I am considering switching is because the Paxil has never been particularly effective, even when I was at 50mg. It helped a bit, but certainly not like the response I had to regular Paxil many years ago. And, we are into the season of long, dark days where I live, which can make me feel down, especially since I don't get as much exercise I am would from about March to early November. So, I am either going to switch or just stop the Paxil completely. I will discuss it with my pdoc again.
> If you just want something to keep you from getting depressed just stick with what you are on. I say this as the very first ad I took was only l0mg of paxil and once I was switched don't know why nothing every worked again. Love Phillipa
Posted by dreamboat_annie on November 30, 2006, at 19:59:25
In reply to Re: Lexapro - I know this topic has probably been, posted by elanor roosevelt on November 30, 2006, at 7:03:13
Thanks so much for the response. I am not committed to a very small dose, I had been on 50mg and the only real difference between the low dose I am on now and the high dose I was on for quite a few months is that I am not as tired and sluggish. So, I don't particularly want to use a high dose if there has been no therapeutic advantage for me. There are days that I don't take it (sometimes two or three in a row) and, again, there is no difference in how I feel. And, although I would not say I am depressed, I certainly am not as enthusiastic or outgoing as I normally am.
I am on Paxil CR right now, which I have heard is somewhat different than regular Paxil. I had a great response to regular Paxil a number of years ago. Unfortunately, when I tried it again, even after titrating up to a decent dose (I think it may also have been 50mg) and after 3 months, I had no response. If regular Paxil would work again, I would just ask to go from the CR to the regular because Paxil, for me, was great.
Thanks again. Your views are much appreciated.
> first of all, if you are committed to a very small dose why are you expecting noticeable results
> secondly, often we think a med is not doing much until we drop it
> i prefer lexapro but tried paxil when i was new at the game
> it is one of the only ssri's i would consider retrying because i liked the energy level it allowed
>
> be very careful about giving up on paxil and changing
> the shifts that occur sometime make it impossible to return to a med
> doctors will tell you this is not true but everyone here will stand behind that statement
> perhaps you can try to increaset the paxil just a very little bit and see if you can feel it working
> i agree with phillipa
>
Posted by Rani on December 4, 2006, at 2:02:45
In reply to Re: Lexapro - I know this topic has probably been » dreamboat_annie, posted by Phillipa on November 29, 2006, at 22:38:38
I have taken a varitey of AD's for some years but did not realise they were not doing much for me. The Laxapro was amazing. Within 4 days I was feeling so good - like I never realised I could feel so good. IT did poop out after a few weeks but I increased the dose up to 15mg daily.
The starting does is 10mg daily I think. The side effects were the same as the other ssri's - bit of nausea, mild headache and some minor dizziness but this settled after a week.
I changed in one day from Luvox to Lexapro the next.Unfortuneately the Lexapro kicked me into a high (I am Bipolar) which ssri's can do for people like me. BUt it has really been the only one that worked well. I am still taking it along with my BP medication.
Posted by qbsbrown on December 5, 2006, at 17:48:26
In reply to Lexapro - I know this topic has probably been, posted by dreamboat_annie on November 29, 2006, at 21:07:37
Hi Dreamboat.
Well like everyone else, i've been through the gauntlet of meds.
To be honest Lexapro did nothing for me for 1.5 yrs, but that was 3-4 yrs again.
I decided to give it another try. This go round, got me out of my deep depression that has been around for 3-4 years, and given me a life back. Worked w/ in less than a week. I guess chemicals have changed since then.
Side effects for me have been feeling restless and jittery, insomnia, libido gone.
I wish u the best in your choice. Whatever u chose, remember there are always other choices and alternatives out there.
Brian
Posted by Phillipa on December 5, 2006, at 19:12:03
In reply to Re: Lexapro - I know this topic has probably been, posted by qbsbrown on December 5, 2006, at 17:48:26
How are you dealing with the side effects? Are you on a med to help? Love Phillipa
Posted by dreamboat_annie on December 5, 2006, at 19:30:24
In reply to Re: Lexapro - I know this topic has probably been, posted by qbsbrown on December 5, 2006, at 17:48:26
Thanks so much, Brian, for sharing your experience with me. I am so glad to hear that, second time around, Lexapro worked for you, and quickly too! That must have been a pleasant surprise and a welcome relief.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Take good care.
> Hi Dreamboat.
>
> Well like everyone else, i've been through the gauntlet of meds.
>
> To be honest Lexapro did nothing for me for 1.5 yrs, but that was 3-4 yrs again.
>
> I decided to give it another try. This go round, got me out of my deep depression that has been around for 3-4 years, and given me a life back. Worked w/ in less than a week. I guess chemicals have changed since then.
>
> Side effects for me have been feeling restless and jittery, insomnia, libido gone.
>
> I wish u the best in your choice. Whatever u chose, remember there are always other choices and alternatives out there.
>
> Brian
This is the end of the thread.
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